Botanic Garden/Biology Department
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, California 91330-8303
Phone: (818) 677-3496
© 2004 California State University, Northridge

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Winter

(Fruit) Tree Pruning

Jerry Turney, L.A. County Agricultural Commissioner's Office

Sat., Jan. 10, 2009, 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. Registration begins December 10, 2008.

Registration is required.

Take the mystery out of fruit tree pruning as well as the general principles of tree pruning. The class will begin with a brief introduction to the 'why', 'when', and 'how' of tree pruning. Mr. Turney will then discuss the specifics of pruning for better crop yields.

Jerry Turney lectures on a wide variety of horticultural topics. His busy schedule includes monitoring for the Sudden Oak Death pathogen, Phytophthora ramorum, in local nurseries and teaching classes at the Los Angeles County Arboretum.                  

Spring

TOTALLY TOMATOES!

Scott Daigre

Sat., March 7, 2009, 9:00-10:30 Registration begins February 7th. This class is full and closed to further registration.

Registration is required. Please register via e-mail at:botanicgarden@csun.edu
Registration for this class begins on February 7, 2009. This class is full and closed to further registration.

Scott Daigre is a professional garden consultant, owner of his own garden design business, and an energetic, practiced instructor.  He's also an owner of Tomatomania!, Southern California's largest Heirloom tomato seedling sale and author of "Tomatomania!, How to Grow Tomatoes Successfully in Southern California".  His enthusiasm is contagious and will inspire attendees to get started on creating their own spectacular tomato and vegetable gardens.

www.tomatomania.com 

Heirloom tomatoes have long been favored by the discerning gourmet.  Often combining bizarre shapes or colors with exotic flavors, these tomatoes are the result of meticulous selection over many years, and are often passed from generation to generation.  From the cold tolerant 'Siberian' to the hefty poundage of 'Mortgage Lifter', heirloom tomatoes provide both horticultural and culinary interest. They look great, their stories are great and most importantly, they taste great!

Legendary TOMATOMANIAC, Scott Daigre having been at the forefront of popularizing these varieties to the Los Angeles market is eager to share his knowledge with you.  He will highlight his favorite varieties and offer recommendations for growing them. Come prepared with your questions about soil preparation, staking, fertilizing, saving seeds, and getting the best production of tomatoes possible. His book will be on sale at a special price for all attendees!

Often one of the first plants to a new gardener, tomatoes are easy to grow and offer great tasty rewards.  Join us!

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Summer

CSUN Tree Walk

Donald Hodel

Sat., August 1, 2009 9:00-11:00 Registration begns July 1. This class is full and closed to further registration.

Registration is required. Please register via e-mail at:botanicgarden@csun.edu
Registration for this class begins on July 1. This class is full and closed to further registration.

Don Hodel is an Environmental Horticulturist with the UC Davis Cooperative Extension. He has authored numerous articles and books on ferns, palms, and trees.

This class will start with a brief introduction to trees, after which Mr. Hodel will lead the class on a walking tour of the exemplary trees of the CSUN campus. He will discuss their important characteristics, including both "good" and "bad" habits, with specific reference to their suitability for the residential landscape.

Except for severe weather, this class will be held as scheduled; be prepared for hot or wet weather - comfortable walking shoes, a brimmed hat, and drinking water are recommended.

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Autumn

Audubon Habitat

Alan Pollack

Sat., Sept. 19, 2009, 9:00-10:30 Registration begins August 19. Both t he 9 and 11:30 sessions are full and closed to further enrollment. You may email botanicgarden@csun.edu to be added to the waiting list (currently at 50+).

Alan will be teaching a similar class through Pierce Extension on October 17. For information on registering for the Extension class, call 818/719-6425.

Registration is required. Please register via e-mail at:botanicgarden@csun.edu
Registration for this class begins on August 19, 2009.

In this time of extended drought and watering restrictions, southern California residents are searching for lawn alternatives that don't sacrifice visual appeal. Drought-tolerant plantings, especially those utilizing California natives, can provide color, texure, and beauty while reducing water usage, and also benefit the local fauna.

Alan Pollack is an accomplished speaker on converting the resource-needy urban lawn into a bird and butterfly nurturing habitat. He has presented similar programs to schools, garden groups and local chapters of the Audubon Society.

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Winter 2009/2010

Rose Pruning

Steve Gerischer, Larkspur Garden Desig

Sat., January 16, 2010, 9:00-10:30 Registration opens on December 16.

Registration is required. Please register via e-mail at:botanicgarden@csun.edu
Registration for this class begins on December 16, 2009.

Take the mystery out of rose pruning with this hands-on workshop. The class will begin with a brief introduction to the 'why', 'when', and 'how' of rose pruning. Participants will then have the opportunity to put theory into practice when the class goes outdoors to prune some of the campus roses.

Steve Gerischer, proprietor of Larkspur Garden Design, lectures on a wide variety of horticultural topics. His busy schedule includes serving as a board member for the Southern California Horticultural Society, teaching classes at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Covina Valley Adult Education Program, and putting in an occasional appearance on HGTV (most notably "Landscaper's Challenge").

Cal State University Northridge Botanic Garden
www.csun.edu/botanicgarden